Lucas Claymore

As the winter breeze whispered through the air, it carried with it the ephemeral essence of deep thoughts and contemplation, gently stirring the soul with the echoes of the moments gone by.

My eyes slowly fled up toward the sky, the usual azure sky was currently laden with dark clouds which seem to add a sombre hue to the environment as snow fell down and blanketed the ground, spilled over everything around me, casting a shadow of dull white intensity over the academy.

I straightened my scarf and properly wrapped it around my neck to cast out the cold as I firmly manipulated my mana—the attribute of wind—casting a small barrier around me to not allow the snow to befall me, as I continued my slow jog from the ashura dormitory to the main building, to reach the classroom.

After a few minutes, I entered the building as I cancelled the wind barrier around me and looked around and noticed a few first years, fresh faces and minds, looking enthusiastic and confident, wearing their black uniforms with golden embroidery covering the sleeves and chest, in pride and looking passionate.

My steps continued to marge without halt, as I saw a few first years now having taken notice of me walking alongside them the long halls, I was currently wearing the attire worn by the second year sophomores, a red uniform with sliver stripes embroidered around the collar and sleeves of the fabric, as they were a few steps ahead, discussing about some theory over mana manipulation. They seem to jump in their spot as they greeted me with a slight bow, having recognized me as a senior by my uniform, oozing respect and admiration palpable over their faces, but looking slightly awkward and sober

“Good Morning, sophomore Lucas.” A few of them said, nervousness prickled the hair at the back of their heads.

I nonchalantly nodded my head back in a form of greeting—something of an action unheard of from me—as I ushered forward, and for some reason the first years made a surprised expression as they looked slightly frozen in their spot for a second, dumbfounded with mouths agape.

Some female students seemed to blush on my casual and simple action as they looked at me with infatuated eyes. Their eyes sparkling and lips pursed, making an expression that I'd grown accustomed to already, and seen many make.

But not giving them much attention, I walked away.

“Oy, didn’t you say he was the type to get angry just by getting greeted by someone, and he wasn’t even sneering as the rumour made him to be the notorious sneering lord!"

“Isn’t he kinda hot?”

“Yeah, he’s just as hot as soph Aogiri Ryuya and Han Shu-hui.”

I heard the dim voices of the first years, quietly murmuring between themselves with my sharp senses as an assassin class, as most of the first years made an awkward expression seeing me pass by, averting their gaze for a reason I was well aware of now.

I shook my head in depreciation with a sigh as I shrugged the gazes off and moved forward with a nonchalant expression, without a care for the others around me.

It has been a week since the classes resumed again from the winter break and now having graduated from the first year in the academy, I'd successfully reached the second year in my academic life with the rest of my classmates and acquaintance in the top ten.

And this rumour was started by some first years during the end term practical tests—and the guys who'd done this were not so surprisingly on bad terms with me—spreading false bullshit around against me. I wasn’t aware of the fact that the first years were referring to me with such a nickname, until Ryuya had told me about the entire fiasco revolving around, with me at its centre.

But I felt another sigh coming, as I couldn’t rebut the accusations pointed at me through the rumours. Looking back on my actions and how I dealt with certain situations, I think I might've been a loose cannon in the first year, doing whatever that came to mind without any care for the repercussions and I think I also sneered a lot, dubbed by Ryuya and Amelia.

And thanks to that rumour, it seems like the first years and some of the second years had started to refer to me as the notorious sneering lord, or edge lord or point break.

Well I couldn’t give one damn about what they called me. Because I was used to dealing with situations like these.

And even in the first year, I wasn't much of a guy to make friends with a lot of people.

But that sense of superiority which I’d always shrouded myself with, like a veil working as a shell for me to alleviate my mind from the growing pressure of my tasks and the sheer responsibility and arrogance of being the next in line to succeed the Claymore family had perhaps blinded me from the consequences of my actions.

And the reason for that might have been the hoaxed praises and accolades which were given to me since a young age, but I perfectly understood that they were only after making connections and friendly ties with the Claymore family using praise as some calculative measure for their own benefit. But I’d been more than foolish enough to allow them to sway me with their shower of persuasive praises.

Honestly, I felt foolish and ashamed of myself more than anything, now that I’d completely realized my own shortcomings.

But I think I was changing, one step at a time, my growth which I'd felt was stunned by my own strong feelings of disapproval of others and not trying to accept my own weakness for being unable to catch up to the likes of Ryuya and Park Jiyoung, had now ceased and my strength was growing steadily and on a faster pace than ever before as I was already equal to Ryuya in our abilities now, and for the reason that I was also quite hot-headed and arrogant before, but now I was also steadily catching up to Park Jiyoung whom was on the borderline of the rank now, and had now risen and taken the first spot in the academy’s second year, which many speculated to have been Ryuya’s.

But I guess in the past, I was more frustrated about being ranked lower than Ryuya and Park Jiyoung that the frustration caused by that one fact had made me act so rashly on times, which I somewhat regretted now. I was arrogant, but I had accepted it and had moved on to make peace with myself .

Consequently, I was already on the threshold of the rank, alongside Ryuya and Han Shu-hui, and reaching nearer the intervening stage of the said rank, I could feel my development each day. But as we all were progressing forward with a good pace, so was park Jiyoung, who had been rumoured to reach the rank in the next six months if she properly trained without any set-backs in her progress.

And if I remembered correctly, she had been below Ryuya in the stature of strength and in rank in the start of the first year, but her sudden rise had started after she had broken right to the intervening stage of the rank, from just being on the borderline of the rank. After that, her progress had been outstandingly fast, no, faster than any recorded student in the academy’s history.

And all of these changes had instigated into motion after that one guy, Seo Jiwoo, had transferred to our class after the result announcement of the tournament.

And I’d learned from Ryuya that Jiwoo was somehow involved in helping the instructors during the incident which occurred during the tournament.

Apparently, he had been the one who had told us about the bomb’s existence in the first place and also about two of the students being demons’ contractee’, whom were paired with me during the fort holding event, and thanks to Jiwoo’s intervention it gave us enough time to evacuate before professor Griffin took action and disposed of the bomb.

And ever since that dungeon incident my views over Jiwoo had drastically changed and he had made me realize what I lacked.

I furled my hand into a fist as I clenched my jaw, as the distant yet fresh memory of when we were stuck inside that dungeon played inside my head repeatedly. But in particular, the memory of when Jiwoo had single-handedly defeated that basilisk just by relying on his own strength, which was outstanding and tremendous for someone his age—a level of power which was extraordinary and unbelievable for a teenager—, also the way he’d handled the crowd of panicked students, calmed them down and assured them like a true leader should, his demeanour and stance had the perfect qualities of someone experienced and adept, I was jealous and frustrated, but also deep within me, I’d started admiring and respect him for his strength and leadership.

At first I’d thought that Seo Jiwoo was just a nobody whom I needn’t pour any mind to, but slowly I realized that the people, even among the top ten were pulled in his direction, as if his presence was a beacon which guided others.

And despite the attention he received even without doing anything to attract the attention of the others, he stayed humble despite being astoundingly strong and talented.

And even at one point I'd suspected at he had made a covenant with a demon. But I was proven wrong for my own ignorance and not knowing better to judge a book by it cover.

Just by seeing him in the dungeon, the air with which he carried himself and his unwavering demeanour made him look like an experienced warrior, who had gone through several life and death situations to have grown accustomed to situations like these. Not breaking a sweat.

I was never able to figure out who Seo Jiwoo really was. He didn’t come from any affluent background, unlike me or the other top rankers in the academy, but he possessed such unwavering strength and talent, coupled with his keen wisdom and solemnity making him a rare talent.

His talent was something which could even potentially be considered an anomaly among the human beings. A talent which no one could’ve ever seen.

But how could someone so young have such an extraordinary talent? Was it even possible to reach a strength and power like his which was honestly impossible to even grasp?

Under my train of thoughts, I soon realized that I’d already reached the classroom and prickled the panel on the side with my hand, as the door hummed open and I stepped inside.

The attention of the entire classroom was pointed at me in this particular moment, but as usual I shrugged it off and with a calm expression as I quickly sat down in my usual spot in the class in the first rows near the door.

I unwrapped the scarf around my neck and placed it beside the empty seat as I took off my coat, easing into the seat and pulled my phone out, as I read through some of the articles I’d saved previously over the things happening around the world, such as the attacks of demons, the movement of the Evil Eye and how the Union was trying to make countermeasures against such threats to assure the public.

I looked around the classroom, which was only filled with more than half of the students, and some seats left empty.

Even after five months had passed since that incident, many students who’d survived that tragic event still felt traumatized and had a hard time going back to their usual lives. The trauma-inducing incident was indeed something which an average person couldn’t hope to handle, with all the death and gore they’d witnessed inside that dungeon.

We were trapped in a death trap, and if not for Jiwoo’s help I don’t think anyone of us could’ve been able to make it out alive with just a few injuries. My eyes stopped on a particular desk, where Han Shu-hui sat—the current fourth ranked, the boy with long navy hair tied in a low ponytail with his scarlet eyes exposed—and beside him used to be Jiwoo’s seat, in the middle rows. But that seat was also empty.

Because what we had found out after coming back to the academy after weeks of that incident’s occurrence was that, Jiwoo had withdrawn his name from the academy on some unknown circumstance. But it was his decision. To me he was someone shrouded with several mysteries.

I saw through the periphery of my vision, seeing Ryuya approach my seat.

His stride firm and confident as usual as he carried himself with an air of solemnity. His midnight blue hair were cut short, as his emerald eyes shone with conviction and determination. He was currently the second ranked, with the third ranked being me yet again, but I wasn’t too bothered with that fact now.

“What’s up? Why are you looking so gloomy first thing in the morning?” Ryuya said with a friendly grin, now standing just in front of my desk.

“No, its nothing. I was just thinking about something,” I returned with a straight face as I placed my phone down and looked him straight in his eyes.

Ever since the dungeon incident, my relation dynamics with the others had changed drastically and now they interacted with me more often, as I tried to do the same in order to change myself. Because I knew that always being the nonchalant arrogant boy wouldn’t be helping, and I think Jiwoo had also played a part in my growth.

I used to get angry almost instantly, but I'd now decided to grow a more calm facade and grown slightly accustomed to social events and interacting with others, because as the Claymore family’s future successor it was my task and responsibility to become a man worthy of inheriting the legacy that my ancestors had built.

And for that I needed to become more mature and perspective of the things around me.

I wanted to become someone as worthy and strong as my grandfather, who was known worldwide and respected by many.

“So, you have something you want to tell me?” I asked with a raise of a brow.

“Nah, nothing much. But I was hoping if you could train with me again after the end of today’s classes. Its a weekend tomorrow so I was hoping you could be my sparring partner again.” Ryuya said, looking determined as he shot me a smirk. “And this time I'll definitely make the score even.”

I gave out a shook of my head with a dismissive smile as I looked at him with my face replaced by a thin smirk now. “Go ahead and try, but the results wouldn’t be any different from before.” I crossed my arms and leaned back into the seat.

“But...” I added just as Ryuya was about to say something.

“I can’t this time, I need to go back home. I didn’t visit my family once over the winter break and there is something my father wanted to discuss with me. So I guess you’ll have to withhold our match for the time being, until I come back and beat you again.”

“Oh, arrogant aren’t you,” Ryuya jabbed as he crossed his arms too. “Don’t forget that I used to be the first ranked of the academy.”

“That you were ‘used’ to be, and now you’re not.” I returned with my smirk slightly widened, as my eyes darted into his. “And by the time I come back, why not ask Park Jiyoung to have a bout with you, don’t you want to take back your previous position?” I said with a sarcastic edge to my tone.

Ryuya seemed to frown, his eyes losing their determination slightly as he spoke. “I didn’t, and the gap between our abilities has grown wide enough that she is an entire stage above me, and I also calculated my probability of victory against her and the odd were in her favour, but I guess I'll try once I successfully reach the intervening stage of the rank.”

“But not just her growing prowess, honestly Jiyoung’s personality has changed quite a bit.” Ryuya added with furrowed brows. “Its like she has become more talkative, or rather easier to talk to than before, don’t you agree?”

I shook my head. “I wouldn’t be the best person to ask that question from honestly. I have barely even interacted with the person in question. Shouldn’t Amelia know better, being her close friend?”

Ryuya gave an understanding nod as we discussed a few more topics as I checked the time. There was still a little bit time left before class started.

“But still, even with the tremendous gap in our abilities, I honestly would’ve loved to have a bout with Jiwoo?” Ryuya said out of nowhere, sounding slightly conflicted over his own words.

I scoffed. “Yeah, then I guess we would’ve found you in the hospital afterwards."

Ryuya looked at me with his eyes pulled into slits with a frown as he returned. “I mean yeah, he’s strong—stupidly strong for someone his age—but still, I also wanted to see just how good of a match could I've been gainst Jiwoo? I mean he was able to rip an entire basilisk in two with his sword art.”

I nodded in agreement. The sword art he utilizes was powerful enough to rip that ranked beast apart, and it also spoke highly of Jiwoo’s tremendous feats that he had done that in a rough and half-dead state.

“Well its a pity that the guy in question is nowhere to be found. He could’ve at least said goodbye before disappearing, I mean aren’t we friends that have gone through life and death together.”

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“That so,” I said in return.

Afterwards, Ryuya and I made some more banter until some more students entered the classroom, Park Jiyoung amongst them, all the class’ attention drifted to her as she carried herself with grace and continued her slow stride—not just the boys, but also the girls looked at her with admiring and infatuated gazes—until she went and sat down beside Amelia in the first row seats on the left. And soon afterwards professor Griffin entered through the door and started class.

The students swiftly took their seats and straightened as professor greeted everyone and soon a unified reply rang back through the vicinity of the classroom.

Adam Griffin took attendance and finally today’s lecture started and professor started explaining the integration theory of mana and modulation...

His lectures were always intriguing to listen to and moreover he also displayed through practical use how the mana could interact with us on the applications involved depending on the image an individual formed in their mind or how they established their connections with it through incantations.

But the subject also varied depending on an individual’s affinity toward mana, for if they were either an augmenter or a conjurer.

Depending on someone’s natural affinity and what profession they were most compatible with from the moment they'd awaken and can access their status window.

Professor Adam kept explaining certain things and aspects of mana, its nature and how it might react to a certain kind of stimuli, which was like invoking a spell or using deviant magic to access the diverse forms of mana.

Then the lecture continued on steadily, some students asking questions here and there and Adam Griffin taking time to make students perform a certain type of technique to show them how to manipulate and guide their mana to lead as an example for the others.

Then as the day went on, growing through the rest of the class and taking the practical lessons, it was reaching near evening when we were finished.

After the classes ended, I quickly returned to the ashura building. I did my normal routine of exercises and homework and afterwards took a shower and changed into formal attire consisting of pants, a white t-shirt and a business formal coat with a pair of leather boots which went well with the attire.

By the time I was free, it was already past eleven in the night, close to midnight.

Then I made my way to the portal house and entered the establishment and quickly checked in with the receptionist and went to one of the many portal rooms in the building.

I walked up the flight of stairs and soon came face to face with the portal dais as the distorted piece of space rippled and connected two separate locations together in the form of a gate.

I stepped into the portal and soon vanished from the academy grounds and with a rapid shift, appeared on the other side connected through the portal as the space warped and ushered me forward.

My mind stirred from the shift as I blinked my eyes a few times and then slowly went down the flight of stairs inside the small chamber. I strode inside a long white hallway which soon opened up to a reception area partitioned through an arch in the facility.

I checked out with the receptionist there, and soon after existed through the main gates and stood under the dusk sky shrouded with an orange-red hue with the sun falling in the west.

I'd arrived in Germany, and the time here varied six hours behind the east Atlantic side where the academy was situated.

“Greetings, Young Master.” I snapped my head to the origin of the voice and saw Helmond. An elderly butler, draped in a black tailored suit and wearing a monocle on one eye bowing with his hand covering his chest. His long grey locks hanging and covering his wrinkled face. Helmond had served the Claymore family since the time of my grandfather, and was a trustworthy aide of our family, who was my personal butler since I was a toddler.

He was similarly someone whom I considered family among the very few people close to me.

“It’s been a while. How have you been? Father hasn’t pushed too many task on you? I hope he gives you enough time to rest.” I said as I placed my hand over his shoulder, as the old butler straightened and looked at me with his serene and aged eyes, laced with slight surprise, but I shrugged it away as I gave him a thin smile.

His grey locks swayed in the light breeze as he looked at me with a familial care, and I think he looked much older since the last time I’d seen him months ago.

“Not at all, Master Lucas. The current head and madam are both very much generous and considerate of their household affairs, and take much caution when dealing with the staff, regulating issues and the dissatisfaction of the employees.” Helmond returned with a respectful tone.

“And allow me to be the first to congratulate you. It is truly my honour to know that Master Lucas has reached the initial stage of the rank. Congratulations, Young Master, the head and madam were both proud when the news reached their ears.”

I scoffed inwardly. 'Like hell that man could’ve been pleased even by the slightest.'

Helmond’s smile widened, the furrow lines on his forehead prominent as he looked delighted.

“And the previous head was the most delighted and astound on young master's fast progress.” He added, then turned.

I gave him a firm nod, as he guided me toward the car, parked right in front of the portal facility. He opened the door for me, as I entered and then after closing the door, he swiftly entered the car and drove away into the busy streets.

We didn’t hold much of a conversation during our journey, except for the few things I asked about what was happening in the house, and how the others have been.

After a short drive, we passed several locations, and soon enough the Claymore mansion came into my line of sight, but still quite a distance away.

Helmond pressed on the gas pedal as the car picked up speed as the sight of the grand mansion against the backdrop of sprawling gardens and rolling hills came into my peripheral vision. Its tall silhouette standing proudly, framed by the lush greenery surrounding it, casting a majestic shadow of tranquillity around the area, covered with an abundance of tree and greenery.

We quickly passed through the gates of the mansion and entered the pavements leading to the entrance of the mansion, which occupied several kilometres of land with its lush gardens and other constructions.

Helmond parked the car in the drive-through as I opened the door and exited.

Stepping onto the pathway lined with towering trees casting their shadow, the last rays of sunlight spilled through their leaves and thick branches, I felt a sense of anticipation building within me. Each step brought me closer to the elegant entrance, where the mansion's creamy stone façade and tall windows lied, which my great-grandfather had constructed a long time ago.

Helmond stood behind me, reminding me of how he used to in the past, as I stepped forward and crossed the threshold into the foyer, the polished marble floors gleamed underfoot, and the soft glow of a chandelier above made a soft yet clam and comforting light to spill the entrance hall.

The air filled with the faint scent of fresh flowers, adding to the luxury and comfort that pervaded the space.

“Welcome home, Young Master!!”

A unified greeting reverberated through the grandeur hallway as I saw several maids and butlers aligned in straight lines and respectfully bowing their heads.

“You know I don’t fancy stuff like this.” I placidly said, face solemn, as Helmond coughed in ignorance, ignoring my question as he stood without saying a word.

“Actually, young master,” Helmond said after a moment, as we continued our stride through the long hall, the servants holding their bows as we moved. “It was the madam’s idea, I merely complied.”

I seemed to sigh on his next words as I understood who could’ve made the servants do this as a harmless prank, even if I hated stuff like this. “If it was mother, then even you wouldn’t have gone against her.

“Surely, he wouldn’t, dear,” I snapped my head as I heard a crisp feminine voice, seeing a woman standing several steps ahead of me, I grew hesitant over my next words, more in caution than anything, as her warm yet piercing eyes focused on me.

Priscilla Claymore, the madam of the house and my mother. She and I shared the same locks of burgundy hair and similar eye pigment. She walked a slow stride in grace and stood in front of me, wearing formal garments—a one piece dress—with a mature vibe around her.

“You should’ve come home during winter break, yet you haven’t shown us your face for almost six months. What do you have to say for yourself, Lucas Claymore?” Her calm and gentle voice sounded more fear-inducing than any threat or curses.

“Your mother truly worries for you.” Her arms crossed above her stomach.

I took a breath, avoiding her sharp gaze. “I apologise, I'll keep in mind to drop by once in a while.”

“Most probably you came because your father summoned you, right?” She said, looking annoyed and worried, jealousy palpable in her motherly eyes. “You always listen to what he has to say without uttering a word back, but always ignore your mother and refuse to pay me a visit. It really saddens me. It was I who carried you for nine months, not him?”

I was for a loss of words as I looked at mother. I wrapped my arms around her body and pulled her into my embrace and apologised again. Her arms wrapped around me as her face rested against my chest.

“You know, you’re really smart just like your father at times like this.” Mother added with a giggle, making a sense of warmth and gentleness to bloom in my heart.

I guess coming back home once in a while wouldn't hurt.

As we walked through the grandeur hall, I find myself surrounded by plush furnishings and ornate decor, each detail a testament to the craftsmanship and attention to the detail that went into creating this magnificent home, accolades decorated in place, adding to the prestige of the achievements made by the Claymore family, filling me with a sense of pride, as the long halls continued.

We made small talk as we strode deeper into the mansion, mother asking about my time at the academy and how the start of the second year was.

Her questions equivalent to a mountain as her concern was perfectly felt through each word and expression.

The deeper we ventured into the mansion, I seemed to reminisce my childhood memories, secured by the perpetual essence of the old building. I looked outside a window, the sky now a tableau of dark colours, spilled with countless stars shrouding the ambience of the sky.

“Where is father?” I asked suddenly as I thought of the reason for his summon.

“He is most probably in his study. You know who much he loves to work. Even your grandfather worries at times that he might collapse one of these days from overworking himself.” Mother replied with a pout, making a irked expression.

“I see.” I returned with a nod.

After a few minutes, I parted ways with mother and reached for father’s study.

I knocked on the door twice as I waited outside for approval to enter. Right after a masculine voice resounded from the inside and I walked into the study.

The inside was just as lavish and clean as I’d last remembered. Bookshelves aligned against the wall and the soft and sweet scent of floral flowers hanged in the air.

At the farther end of the study, a large wooden desk and a seat were placed, and I saw a man with short brown hair and dark obsidian eyes, his athletic physique draped in a black suit, having the eyes of a sagacious politician. My father, Vincent Claymore the current head of the family.

He was looking through several documents as I stood in front of his desk with my hands clasped behind my back, quietly as I gazed at him.

I waited like this for the next five minutes in silence, neither of us uttered a word as father went through one paper to another, his expression impassive and unreadable just like as it’d been.

“Sit down.” He suddenly said, his hand reaching for another document lying over the desk.

I complied and sat down on one of the seats placed near his desk. Father kept doing what he was and I didn’t bother say anything myself to disturb. I simply sat silently inside the study, and by the time he was finished with his tasks, it was already approaching nine o’clock.

“Lucas, your progress has significantly improved since the last few months,” my father, Vincent Claymore said suddenly as he eased in his chair, legs and arms crossed. He took a breath, his sharp and perspective eyes piercing into me, as if he could read me perfectly. “But maintaining your ranking is also important, not just improving your strength. You must understand both fundamentals if you wish to become stronger and better. I heard that Park Jiyoung took the first spot from the Aogiri family’s heir. Leaving you still as the third best.”

I listened quietly to his words as I kept seated, my hands clenching under the table as my face turned impassive.

He was always blunt about what was on his mind and he always cut to the chase, something which was truly like him. Indeed he was the man feared by many, Vincent Claymore.

“To be honest, I am disappointed in you.” His tone impassive and eyes too as his face slacked. “You should’ve attained the first rank already. Don’t be foolish to think that you have achieved something tremendous or anything. If you wish to succeed the Claymore's legacy, you must understand that we don’t move as the world deems in its mundane cycle, we deem how the world around us should move.”

That’s why he was quiet almost entirely this time. His brows furrowed ever-so-slightly as his eyes looked disdainful.

He placed his elbow over the armrest as his fingers rapped over the desk. “Get your act together. From how I see it, you’re basically fooling around. How you perform also impacts the Claymore's name and influence. Your grandfather and uncle have both been too kind to you. You are my successor and the next in line to inherent the Claymore family, and I don’t want to leave our family’s legacy to someone who is half-heartedly viewing his responsibilities. It will be better if you made your mind sooner, Lucas. If you understand then leave.” He said with a dismissive wave of his hand, taking another piece of paper in hand.

“I understand, father.” I said as I clenched my jaw until it ached as I tried not to glare at him. “Then if you’ll excuse me.” I said taking a bow as I spun and then reached for the door.

“Reaching the rank shouldn’t be much of an achievement for you. Your end goal must be to become as strong as the world rankers in the Union. Only then would you have enough influence and freedom to change and move the world to your desire.”

I looked behind my shoulder and nodded with a firm intensity as I exited and closed the door.

***

I stood panting, as my body was covered with sweat from head to my toe.

My upper body exposed as I wielded the daggers which Jiwoo had given me inside the dungeon as my grip firmed over the handle, as I performed one set of movements after the others.

After a continuous session which lasted for thirty minutes, I stood in the middle of the training room built inside the mansion. My breathing heavy and body cranking with fatigue.

I felt irked and frustrated over father’s words, working like salt sprinkled over a nasty wound. I was angry, but not on him. He was right, it was my responsibility as a Claymore to be better than the others, but that didn’t mean that there weren’t more talented individuals than me.

No, that would just be an excuse for me to alleviate my mind.

I wasn’t the only person who was working hard.

Han Shu-hui, Aogiri Ryuya and Park Jiyoung were all people who were either equal or stronger than me, yet here I was frustrated again over my own feelings of being ranked lower than them.

Even they were training daily, making progress as they struggled to overcome their limitations. And here I was crying over my own powerlessness.

And Seo Jiwoo...

I cursed under my heaving breath as I remembered just how powerless I was inside that dungeon.

What made me frustrated and miserable was the fact that Seo Jiwoo was someone my age, yet leagues above me. A mountain, a wall I could never hope to leap.

Just what did it take to reach the heights which he had reached? How much training must he have done, how much struggle and patience must he have gone through in order to become as strong as he was?

His fluid and perfect momentum when performing a sword slash or when using the sword art which no one had heard about.

He was a true prodigy. Unlike me...

I wiped my sweat as I once again continued my training. My mind cluttered with countless thoughts as I swung my daggers around mindlessly, slashing the air as my mana worked and my speed increased.

Just what did it take to become someone as strong as Seo Jiwoo? Just what did he experience to become strong? What convictions—what purpose for did he become stronger?

My feet gave out from the sudden increase in speed as I crashed onto the floor and the daggers from my hands went loose.

I laid on my knees, as I clenched my hands in anger, as I laid my forehead over the floor.

But I heard footsteps echo in the hall as I looked up and saw an elderly man standing in front of me, hand drawn.

I took his hand, feeling the roughness and callouses over his skin, and stood as I bent my head in embarrassment, unable to look him in the eye.

Renovous Claymore, the previous head of the Claymore family and my grandfather, despite his old age, his face and skin still held its strong vitality, his physique well-maintained and grey hair tied into a bun behind the back of his head, wearing a suit which adorned his physique. His face had a dignified expression and eyes looking perceptive and insightful.

“Lucas, my child, just who is it you're trying to catch up to, who is making you act this desperately? Your expression speaks well for you.” He said, as my face turned surprised. “You were always competitive, but right now you only look lost to me.”

“Just what did you witness inside that dungeon, for you to change so drastically in the last few months.” His wisdomous eyes bore down at me. His calloused hand over my shoulder.

I took a breath as I calmed my expression but I couldn’t seem to rebut his words. I was hesitant at first, but I gathered up the courage and then explained to him what had happened inside the dungeon.

From the start, when we had been trapped and when Jiwoo had been the one to help us, and lastly when we’d fought the basilisk. I told him everything as he made a surprised frown, something I hardly saw on his face.

"After witnessing his talent and unwavering strength, I just couldn’t seem to accept my own powerlessness and incompetence. I realized that I was merely just a ripple in the vast sea of power. I was being arrogant by being born in a prestigious family, yet he’s from a humble background having no advantages which I had."

“That is true.” He returned. His eyes looking perceptive and insightful. “But what do you want to do now, Lucas?”

“Are you going to keep feeling frustrated and depressed over your own powerlessness for comparing yourself with this boy, Seo Jiwoo, or are you willing to surpass your limitations in order to become someone who can stand up to him.”

“The decision which you make can either lead you to glory or your own demise. Heed my words, we can only say we can’t after we have tried everything we could have. Don’t compare yourself with others, rather look within yourself and ask what you truly want? Only then can you start to realize what you lack!"

“Recognizing and understanding your our own weakness is an essential part of personal development but don’t allow these vulnerabilities to be the cause of your downfall. History often shows us that before individuals achieve strength, they must confront and overcome their weaknesses. You have power over you mind, whether you want to quit or continue is entirely your own choice, but you can’t hold others accountable for your lack of resilience and determination.”

***

Neil

My boots smeared by the damp mud of the steep hill as I took several heavy breaths, looking at the heavy veil of fog which shrouded my surroundings, obscuring my vision.

“This far should be safe.” I said, retrieving an object from the inside of my dimensional artifact as I took it in my hand.

The square disk shaped object looked similar to an anvil, with a half globe over its surface, as I laid it down on the ground and channelled my mana into it as the device sparked and bloomed with life, generating a soft light.

Soon the space around the compass rippled as a shiny oval shaped portal rippled to life as the magic of the compass stabilised and connected the locations of two worlds together. The space distorted ever-so-slightly before the distortion calmed, securing the connection.

I looked down to check my equipment one last time for my trip. My battle robes were ready, dimensional artifact which held all my supplies, my eyes slowly went to the necklace hanged around my neck as I took a hold of it, then pushed it inside my shirt as I stepped into the conjured portal which exuded a dim light.

The magic of the compass enveloped me in itself as I felt my body being ushered through the fabirc of space around me.

But suddenly I felt a tremendous force grind against my entire body as I felt like a mountain had struck me, as I heard a ripping sound akin to thunder strike my ears as the colours from my eyes drained and my head squirmed from the vertigo as my body was hurtled through the space uncontrollably.

I felt like screaming, but my moans and curses wouldn’t come out as an unbearable headache shrouded my head. I felt like the space around me could tear me apart, as fear clawed at my back.

Colours ran through my eyes, bright to dull then dull to a vivid bright as the shift left me scared and powerless. My insides seethed as I felt like a rag doll, moving as something pushed and pulled me.

What was going on? I cried inside my head as I hoped to find some clue, but the growing fear and fragility made me vulnerable.

But just as I felt my body would break and my mind shatter, I was spat outside that whirling distorted space as I crashed into a hard surface, but my fall was cushioned by grains of sand.

I snapped my head around as I felt the warm and dry atmosphere around me, the blazing sun high above me as a hot breeze kissed my skin, my face pale in horror. The compass was lying several feet beside me, I quickly approached it as I took it in my hands, but my face broke into a horrified frown as I looked at the cracked device, its magic dissipating and extinguished as the device was left magic less.

My eyes went to my right hand where a flesh wound had formed, blood dripping and wetting the sand below, but my horrified expression twisted into pure dread as I saw my dimensional artifact had been damaged as a crack ran through the ring's surface, which held all my supplies.

I looked around me at the unending dessert. My eyes peered across the sahara as the only thing visible was sand dunes and the blazing sun which could cook me alive. There didn’t seem to be a single living thing in the vicinity.

But worst of all, with the compass and my dimensional artifact damaged, I was stuck here with no hopes of returning or rescue.